"CViina. 

^be  l^ale  ^foreign  fIDission. 


fltS  ©Cigin.  Some  years  ago  a few  recent  graduates 
of  Yale,  members  of  the  Student  Volunteer  Movement, 
devoted  a year  to  preaching  the  cause  of  foreign  mis- 
sions to  young  people  all  over  the  country.  The  suc- 
cess of  this  propaganda  was  so  great  as  to  suggest  to 
their  minds  the  plan  of  a missionary  society  to  be 
banned  and  supported  entirel)^  by  the  students  and 
graduates  of  their  own  university  to  supplement  and 
extend  the  wholesome  activities  of  a flourishing  domes- 
tic mission  conducted  by  students  in  New  Haven. 
From  this  idea  was  developed,  with  the  advice  and  co- 
operation of  a number  of  the  college  faculty,  the  scheme 
of  a Yale  Foreign  Mission,  involving  a society  that 
without  officially  depending  upon  the  university  for 
authority  or  financial  support  should  turn  to  practical 
account  some  portion  of  that  unified  mass  of  vital 
energy  that  goes  by  the  name  of  the  “ Yale  Spirit.”  No 
one  who  knows  what  this  spirit  means  in  the  life  of 
Yale  undergraduates,  or  who  is  aware  of  what  it  has 
accomplished  in  athletics,  in  politics,  in  concerted 
movements  for  strengthening  the  college  or  improving 
its  moral  tone,  will  doubt  its  effectiveness  when  di- 
rected toward  the  support  of  a missionary  society  that 
bears  the  name  of  Yale.  The  number  of  student  vol- 
unteers here  testifies  moreover  to  so  general  and  endur- 


2 


r- 

ing  an  interest  among  undergraduates  in  the  work  of 
foreign  missions  as  to  insure  for  the  project  both  candi- 
dates and  support.  The  Mission  purposes  in  time  to 
make  large  demands  upon  Yale,  but  in  return  (in  the 
words  of  President  Hadley’s  Report  for  1902)  “it  gives 
to  her  Christian  workers  the  inspiration  which  comes  * 
from  the  opening  of  a new  and  wide  field  of  successful 
effort. ” 


Zbc  3ncl&.  Several  reasons  prompted  the  selection 
of  China  as  a field  of  operations.  A people  of  high 
civilization  and  ancient  culture  would  naturally  enlist 
the  sympathetic  attention  of  a bod}'  of  educated  menlt 
but  while  India  appears  to  be  the  special  subject  of 
similar  efiforts  by  university  men  from  England,  and 
Japan  is  rapidly  learning  to  take  care  of  her  own  needs, 
China,  the  only  remaining  people  of  learning  in  the 
East,  has  peculiar  claims  upon  the  Christian  conscience 
of  America.  From  the  standpoint  of  the  evangelist  all 
non-Christian  countries  may  appear  to  be  on  the  same 
plane,  but  at  the  present  moment  China’s  need  is  in- 
comparably greater  than  that  of  the  others,  to  be  saved 
not  only  from  Paganism  but  from  the  European  powers 
and  from  herself.  The  process  of  regeneration  involves 
obviously  the  education  of  the  brain  of  the  nation  as 
well  as  the  elevation  of  its  moral  life  to  Christian  stand- 
ards, and  to  this  congenial  task  the  abounding  enthu- 
siasm of  young  Yale  may  be  honorably  devoted.  A 
few  of  the  best  intellects  of  China  already  appreciate 
her  greatest  need  and  call  for  educators  from  the  West ; 
to  establish  a college  there  and  train  the  natives  to 


3 


teach  their  own  people  promises  the  largest  results 
with  the  least  risk  of  antagonizing  their  governing 
class. 


IHffiUatfOtlS.  The  Society  proposes  to  stand  by  it- 
self without  responsibility  to  any  other  body.  It  has 
no  desire,  however,  to  introduce  an  element  of  rivalry 
with  older  societies  into  the  work  of  missions.  Its 
non-sectarian  character  enables  it,  moreover,  to  work  in 
harmony  with  an)"  Protestant  body,  as  it  has  no  design 
of  establishing  churches  in  the  land  of  its  operations. 
But  in  this  connection  it  is  proper  to  mention  the  rela- 
•i.ionship  of  the  Mission  to  the  American  Board,  as  set 
forth  in  the  constitution.  As  there  agreed,  the  Yale 
Mission  “ affirms  its  earnest  desire  to  labor  in  harmony 
with  the  Board,”  elects  the  President  and  two  members 
of  the  Board  as  members  of  its  council,  and  sends  it  a 
copy  of  its  yearly  report.  On  its  part  the  American 
Board  : 

“ I.  Gives  its  hearty  support  to  the  Yale  Mission, 
recognizing  it  as  an  undenominational  missionary 
movement,  independent  of  any  existing  board,  but 
acknowledging  a connection  with  the  American  Board, 
as  provided  above. 

“ 2.  Places  at  the  disposal  of  the  Yale  Mission  its 
agencies  for  the  purchase  and  distribution  of  missionary 
supplies  and  the  forwarding  of  funds. 

“ 3.  Will  give  to  the  Yale  Mission,  in  case  of  any 
important  difficulty  arising  with  native  governments  or 
people,  the  same  moral  support  and  good  offices  with 


4 


the  home  government,  if  necessary,  as  would  be 
brought  to  bear  in  the  case  of  one  of  its  own  missions 
under  similar  circumstances.” 

When  it  is  remembered  how  largely  the  American 
Board  is  represented  among  Yale  families  and  how 
little  these  would  like  any  encroachment  upon  the  terri- 
tories of  that  old  and  supremely  efficient  organization, 
it  will  be  seen  that  the  Yale  Mission  secures  by  this 
endorsement  and  association  a perfectly  invaluable 
guarantee  without  losing  a particle  of  its  own  inde- 
pendence. It  has,  moreover,  the  valuable  service  of  a 
great  business  and  charitable  concern,  its  counsel  and 
friendly  help  in  time  of  trouble,  and  its  machinery  for 
remitting  funds  and  transporting  supplies.  While  this., 
is  the  only  formal  bond  uniting  the  Society  with  any 
other,  its  educational  work  in  Hunan  province  will 
necessarily  maintain  it  in  co-operation  with  all  the 
missions  there  which  send  pupils  to  its  college. 


®rgani3atlon.  The  Society,  which  has  been  incor- 
porated under  the  State  law  of  Connecticut,  is  governed 
by  a council  of  forty  Yale  graduates,  half  of  them  a 
permanent  class  and  half  elected  by  its  members.  The 
former  Include  the^President  and  Secretary,  three  Fel- 
lows, and  eleven  from  the  faculties  of  the  University, 
the  General  Secretary  of  the  University  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
and  three  representatives  of  the  American  Board  ; the 
latter  are  elected  in  groups  of  five  annually  for  four 
years.  The  object  of  having  so  large  a council  is  to 
secure  representation  and  advice  from  alumni  from  all 


5 


parts  of  the  country  and  from  different  college  genera- 
tions ; of  the  smaller  and  permanent  portion,  to  obtain 
the  assistance  of  a corps  of  men  devoted  to  the  univer- 
sity and  living  in  New  Haven.  The  real  work  of  con- 
trol is  in  the  hands  of  an  executive  committee  of  seven, 
who  select  candidates  for  the  work  and  devise  the 
policy  as  well  as  ways  and  means.  At  its  annual 
meeting  in  June  the  council  passes  upon  the  plans  and 
operations  of  this  committee.  All  graduates  who  sub- 
scribe are  accounted  members  of  the  Society,  other 
benefactors  are  made  honorary  members. 

The  administrative  machinery,  thus  briefl}’’  described, 
is  effective  in  many  ways.  It  is  fully  representative  of 
universit)',  while  it  does  not  commit  the  corpora- 
tion by  its  action  or  hamper  itself  by  requiring  assent 
or  advice  ; it  has  to  deal  with  a highly  intelligent  body 
of  supporters,  amongst  whom  differences  of  sect  count 
for  little,  who  are  generally  capable  of  distinguishing 
in  matters  of  transient  and  of  supreme  importance,  and 
who  can  therefore  be  trusted  to  sustain  the  Mission  in 
patience  and  confidence  of  the  ultimate  issue  ; it  can 
count  upon  the  intimate  personal  friendships  of  its 
missionaries  and  subscriber^  and  the  consequent  re- 
liance of  all  concerned  in  statements  coming  from  the 
scene  of  its  operations,  thus  rendering  the  literature  of 
accounts  and  apologies  unnecessary  in  its  reports  ; 
and  finally  it  wastes  no  money  in  paying  for  the  offices 
and  running  expenses  of  a board  at  home  equipped 
solel3'to  raise  funds  to  maintain  its  missionaries  abroad. 
Such  simple  and  inexpensive  mechanism  enables  the 
Mission  to  devote  every  dollar  raised  directly  to  its 
real  object. 


6 


Xocation  an5  plans  for  “Mori?.  At  a conference 
of  the  missionaries  of  the  province  of  Hunan,  held 
June  19,  20,  21,  1903,  at  Changsha,  the  provincial  capi- 
tal, and  at  which  representatives  of  ten  different  socie- 
ties and  denominations  were  present,  the  following 
resolutions  were  unanimously  and  enthusiastically 
passed  : 

^ Resolved,  That  the  conference  extend  a cordial  invi- 
tation to  the  Yale  University  Mission  to  establish  an 
educational  center  in  Changsha.  It  recommends  the 
societies  working  in  Hunan  to  entrust  the  higher  edu- 
cation in  the  province  in  science,  arts  and  medicine  to 
this  Mission,  and  also  to  work  as  far  as  possible  in 
primary  education  on  lines  that  conform  to  the  plan  of 
higher  education  that  might  be  adopted  by  the  YaHv 
University  Mission.  The  conference  would  also' 
recommend  the  Mission  to  consider  the  question  of 
entrusting  theological  education  to  Yale  University 
Mission,  but  does  not  feel  able  to  give  any  indication 
of  what  the  result  of  such  consideration  will  be.  The 
conference  heartily  welcomes  the  prospect  of  having 
Universit}'  Extension  and  special  work  for  the  Literati 
carried  on  in  Hunan.” 

This  invitation  gave  the  Yale  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  an  opportunity  to  work  in  a province  of 
21,000,000  inhabitants,  in  a city  located  almost  exactly 
in  the  center  of  China  proper,  distant  by  two  days  from 
the  Yangtse  by  boat,  and  through  which  the  Peking- 
Canton  railroad  will  run,  and  in  a district  of  China  far  I 
removed  from  the  fear  of  Russian  influence  and 
aggression.  After  carefully  considering  the  matter  the  [ 
Executive  Committee  voted  to  accept  the  invitation, 
and  on  October  6,  1903,  sent  the  following  reply  to  the  ! 
missionaries  of  Hunan  ; | 


r 


7 

To  The  Hunan  Missionary  Conference, 

Changsha,  China  : 

Gentlemen  : We  acknowledge  with  profound  grati- 
tude the  invitation  extended  to  our  Society  by  your 
body  through  Mr.  Thurston  to  unite  in  the  work  of 
missions  in  China  with  the  Protestant  organizations 
now  in  Hunan,  and,  in  accepting  the  offer  made  to  us 
in  so  generous  a spirit  of  Christian  comity,  we  realize 
with  the  honor  conferred  upon  the  Yale  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  the  grave  responsibilities  involved  in 
the  high  calling  thus  set  before  us.  The  invitation  has, 
moreover,  to  our  minds  a special  significance  as  mark- 
ing not  only  the  ungrudging  welcome  of  your  own 
members  to  a new  society,  but  an  evident  desire  to 
introduce  in  the  newly  begun  work  in  your  province 
the  element  of  co-operation  with  which  we  cordially 
sympathize  and  agree. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  purpose  of  the  Yale  For- 
eign Missionary  Society  appears  to  have  been  some- 
what misunderstood,  through  press  reports  in  China, 
it  is  proper  here  to  advise  you  of  the  policy  which  with 
God’s  blessing  we  hope  to  pursue.  While  the  Societ}" 
cannot  place  in  the  field  so  large  a number  of  men  as 
has  been  rumored,  it  intends  eventually  to  send  out  a 
sufficient  body  of  well-equipped  instructors  to  man  any 
educational  institution  it  may  establish.  It  must  also 
be  definitely  understood  that  the  Society,  though 
including  officers  of  the  university  and  of  its  several 
faculties  among  its  most  active  and  devoted  members, 
is  not  formed  or  operated  by  Yale  University  as  such, 
but  is  a voluntar}"  association  of  its  graduates. 

The  aim  of  the  Society  is  twofold  : — To  establish  in 
our  university  an  organization  capable  of  enlisting  in 
behalf  of  a Christian  and  philanthropic  enterprise  the 
loyal  interest  of  its  members  and  alumni  ; and 

To  direct  this  interest  especially  to  the  welfare  of 
China. 

From  this  it  follows  that  the  Society  must  be  without 
denominational  bias,  as  our  students  here  belong  to  all 


8 


communions  ; it  is  also  our  supreme  desire  to  only  add 
a new  force  to  those  already  laboring  for  the  promotion 
of  Christianity  in  China,  not  to  conflict  with  agencies 
now  at  work  nor  interfere  with  plans  contemplated  by 
others.  It  is  a constructive  not  a destructive  purpose 
that  actuates  us. 

With  these  ideas  in  mind  it  has  seemed  reasonable 
from  the  outset  of  our  undertaking  to  expect  some 
success  in  devoting  our  endeavors  chiefly  to  teaching. 
A college  community  naturally  understands  and  sym- 
pathizes with  the  needs  of  another  college  and  can  sup- 
ply its  intellectual  requirements. 

In  establishing  its  institution  of  learning  in  China 
the  intentions  of  this  Societ}"  are  : (i)  To  furnish  a com- 
pany of  missionaries  who  are  strongl}'  and  sincerely 
Christian  as  well  as  men  technicall)'  fitted  for  educa- 
tional work.  (2)  To  assist  China  in  her  great  need  by’ 
raising  up  through  such  an  institution  a body  of  native 
students  acquainted  with  the  truths  and  accepting  the 
spirit  of  Christianity  ; by  training  these  men  as  effect- 
ivel}’’  as  possible  in  scientific  and  advanced  studies  to 
become  leaders  in  their  own  country  ; and  by  reproduc- 
ing in  the  Far  East  the  wholesome  moral  and  social 
influences  of  an  American  college  community.  (3)  To 
co-operate  with  the  missionaries  of  other  societies  in 
unifying  and  making  effective  the  Christian  schools  of 
the  province  so  that  they  ma}''  be  of  the  highest  service 
to  the  church  and  ma}'  become  an  object  lesson  to  the 
government  schools  in  the  country. 

To  outline  such  a scheme  for  higher  education,  al- 
though our  ultimate  “university”  purpose  is  clear, 
does  not  imply  the  expectation  of  immediately  accom- 
plishing great  things.  We  realize  perfectly  that  it 
requires  years  to  equip  an  educational  establishment  of 
this  sort  and  to  prepare  its  teachers,  but  for  our  own 
sakes — for  the  reflex  influence  of  the  work  undertaken 
as  a broadening  and  deepening  factor  in  the  university 
at  home — and  for  the  cause  of  Christ  and  civilization, 
we  are  determined  to  persevere. 


9 


It  is  our  earnest  hope  that  the  missionary  groups  in 
Hunan,  and  others  so  far  as  possible,  will  concur  in 
this  conception  of  the  work  we  are  asked  to  take  up. 
We  need  their  counsels  and  prayers,  and  we  entreat 
also  their  patience  in  our  inexperience  and  during  the 
inoperative  years  when  language-study  and  the  slow 
work  of  foundation-building  must  be  our  main  task. 

There  is  every  reason  why  Yale  can  adequately  sup- 
port this  proposed  institution.  The  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  the  Society  are  all  engaged  in  the  work  of 
education  and  are,  therefore,  peculiarly  fitted  to  direct 
the  affairs  of  a college.  The  Society  has  an  excep- 
tional opportunity  to  select  competent  men  for  the 
field.  It  can  watch  them  develop  during  their  under- 
graduate years  at  Yale,  and  in  the  professional  schools, 
and  can  thus  be  certain  that  only  men  of  the  highest 
ability  and  character  are  sent  out.  Moreover,  these 
men  having  been  trained  at  Yale  will  form  a congenial 
band  of  workers.  They  will  enjoy  their  life  in  com- 
mon, and  thus  will  be  prepared  for  the  most  efficient 
service. 

Looking  at  the  matter  from  the  Chinese  point  of 
view,  no  American  university  is  respected  in  China  as 
is  Yale.  The  first  Chinese  to  graduate  from  an  Amer- 
ican college  took  his  degree  here.  The  first  Chinese 
geography  of  America,  a book  used  throughout  the 
empire,  mentioned  but  one  American  institution  of 
learning,  namely,  Yale.  No  other  American  univer- 
sity has  so  large  a number  of  influential  Chinese  gradu- 
ates, and  consequently  educated  China  regards  Yale 
with  especial  favor.  When  the  college  at  Changsha  is 
established  it  will  not  be  difficult  to  secure  scholar- 
ships at  Yale  for  the  most  promising  pupils  and  thus 


10 


maintain  the  closest  affiliations  between  the  two  institu- 
tions. We  know  from  the  highest  Chinese  authority 
that  China  will  welcome  this  plan. 


TimaBS  anS  /Ifteans.  The  Society  will  pay  its  mar- 
ried missionaries  $i,ooo  a year  with  subsequent  increase  . 
for  children  ; its  unmarried  missionaries  $700  a year.  : 
It  is  expected  that  the  classes  will  support  their  own 
representatives.  The  salary  of  Mr.  Thurston,  ’g8,  our 
first  missionary  in  the  field,  is  paid  by  five  members  of 
his  class.  There  is,  however,  immediate  need  of  large 
sums  for  the  purchase  of  land  and  the  erection  of 
buildings,  and  for  this  work  some  $17,000  has  been 
subscribed.  l\Ir.  Harlan  P.  Beach,  ’78,  already  wel!*-  | 
known  as  the  author  of  The  Geography  and  Atlas  of  I 
Protestant  Missions,  who  through  his  long  residence  in  1 
China  is  perfectly  fitted  for  the  task,  goes  to  Hunan  in 
1904,  to  take  charge  of  the  negotiations  for  land,  and 
to  consult  with  the  missionaries  of  the  province  in 
regard  to  the  work  of  the  college.  A little  money 
accomplishes  much  in  China.  A college  with  as  many 
as  ten  specially  trained  men  would  be  the  greatest 
educational  institution  in  the  empire.  A recent  gradu- 
ate, a physician,  visited  China  at  the  request  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  inspected  the  best  hospitals 
there,  and  presented  a report  on  the  subject  of  medical 
work.  A thoroughly  equipped  hospital  with  some 
forty  beds,  he  says,  can  be  erected  for  only  $10,000. 

The  Society  has  under  commission  a Yale  graduate, 
now  studying  at  Johns  Hopkins  Medical  School,  who 
will  start  the  Society’s  medical  work. 

New  Haven,  Conn.,  December,  1903. 


©tKccrs 


iPresiSeiit. 

Rev.  Timothy  Dwight,  D.D.,  ’49. 
I3iccs®resi6cnt. 

Rt.  Rev.  Edwin  S.  Lines,  D.D.,  ’72. 
treasurer. 

Pierce  N.  Welch,  ’62. 

Bssietant  ITreasurcv. 

Arthur  C.  Williams,  ’98. 

Cbairman  of  Executive  Committee. 
Prof.  F.  Wells  Williams,  ’79. 

1Recot6lng  Secfetavs. 

William  Sloane,  ’95. 

Executive  Secretary. 

Prof.  Edward  B.  Reed,  ’94, 

351  White  Hall. 

HuOitor. 

Eli  Whitney,  ’69. 


Eiecutivc  Committee, 


Dean  H.  P.  Wright,  ’68, 

Dean  F,  K.  Sanders,  ’8g, 

Rev.  H.  P.  Beach,  ’78, 

Prof.  F.  Wells  Williams,  ’79, 
Lewis  S.  Welch,  ’89, 

Rev.  A.  P.  Stokes,  Jr.,  ’96, 

A.  C.  Williams,  ’98. 


Council. 

Ipcrmanent  fiDembers, 
President  Arthur  T.  Hadley,  ’76, 
Dean  H.  P.  Wright, ’68, 

Rev.  C.  R.  Palmer,  D.D.,  ’55, 
Rev.  J.  W.  Cooper,  D.D.,  ’65, 

Eli  Whitney,  ’69, 

Prof.  Theodore  S.  WooLSfev,  J72, 
Prof.  F.  Wells  Williams, ’79, 

Prof.  G.  T.  Ladd,  ’81, 

Prof.  B.  W.  Bacon,  ’81, 

Prof.  R.  N.  Corwin,  ’87, 

Prof.  H.  B.  Ferris,  ’87, 

Prof.  W.  L.  Phelps,  ’87, 

Dean  F.  K.  Sanders,  ’89, 

Edward  B.  Reed,  ’94, 

Rev.  A.  P.  Stokes,  Jr.,  ’96, 

Prof.  C.  C.  Torrey,  ’00, 

R.  H.  Edwards,  ’01. 


13 


jfrom  tbe  Hmerfcan  38oaf6. 

President  S.  B.  Capen, 
Rev.  JuDSON  Smith,  D.D., 
Prof.  Edward  C.  Moore. 


Elective  fflem&ecs. 

"tEerm  eipires  June,  1904. 

Rev.  R.  C.  Morse,  D.D.,  ’62, 
Rev.  W.  R.  Richards,  D.D.,  ’75, 
Rev.  H.  P.  Beach,  ’78, 

Lewis  S.  Welch,  ’89, 

Vance  McCormick,  ’93  S. 


Uerm  expires  June,  1905. 

Rev.  G.  E.  Day,  D.D.,  ’37, 

Rt.  Rev.  C.  B.  Brewster,  D.D.,  '68, 
C.  H.  Kelsey,  ’78, 

J.  M.  Whitehead,  ’77, 

E.  S.  Harkness,  ’97. 


Uevm  eipires  June,  t906. 

Rev.  Timothy  Dwight,  D.D.,  ’49, 
Pierce  N.  Welch,  ’62, 

J.  S.  Houghteling,  ’76  S., 
Gifford  Pinchot,  ’89, 

J.  F.  Ferry,  ’01  S. 


Ucvm  expires  3une,  1907. 

Rt.  Rev.  E.  S.  Lines,  D.D.,  ’72, 
J.  B.  Reynolds,  ’84, 

William  Sloane,  ’95, 

R.  S.  Brewster,  ’97, 

A.  C.  Williams,  ’98. 


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